Why sixth-form colleges go to the top of the class

Share via

The academic who led the study said that sixth-form colleges were bigger and offered more specialist teachingGetty Images

Greg HurstEducation Editor

Last updated at 12:01AM, August 16 2012

Students at sixth-form colleges are significantly more likely to achieve top grades at A level than those who stay on at their schools, research suggests.

Teenagers at sixth-form colleges were 7 per cent more likely to be awarded A* or A. They were also more likely to pass at AS level.

The academic who led the study said that sixth-form colleges were bigger and offered specialist teaching, a wider choice of A-level subjects and a campus-style environment. The findings will fuel debate over the Government’s school reforms. Sixth-form colleges accuse ministers of discriminating against them by giving them less funding